Bismarck Tribune reporter Brian Duggan recently wrote a column about North Dakota’s economy, saying that it wasn’t what he expected it to be. 

While touting the state’s relatively healthy economy, which many people attribute to oil development on the Bakken formation, Duggan worked in the forecasts showing a slightly higher chance than 50/50 that the recession will hit here in the first quarter of 2009.

But even then, it sounds like ND is in good shape compared to the rest of the nation.  From the article:

“It’s certainly not a guarantee,” said David Flynn, a UND professor who authored the report. “It’s saying the risk factors are higher than they’ve been in quite a long time.”

Flynn said if the state does experience a recession sometime next year, it’s likely to be a short-term dip rather than a prolonged one.

Still, “we are in a very enviable position right now,” he said.